Report to River Ward Community Associations

March 2001

New Dates for Budget Deliberations

Now that the province has set the amount it will help with the cost of
transition at $108.5 million, the new City can get on with its budget
process.

On February 28th, Council directed that a freeze in the taxation
requirement be achieved for 2001 - without tapping into reserve funding by
investigating one-time funding opportunities. Service levels will remain
at 2000 levels. We have asked that consideration be given to harmonizing
tax rates as well as special area rating for differential service levels.
Staff will also develop recommendations regarding phasing.

The dates published in my last newsletter have changed: The 2001
Operating Budget will now be considered from March 1-21, at which time
Standing Committees will commence their reviews. It will go to Council
for adoption on April 25th. The 2001 Capital Budget will be tabled on
March 20th, with consultation lasting until April 16th, followed by
Committee review throughout April and adoption by Council on May 9th.

Audit Function at the new City

Council has recognized the critical activity of the Auditor in
assisting Council in fulfilling its role of oversight on behalf of its
constituents. The City Auditor will report directly to Council through
the Audit Committee - a process which is independent, accurate,
transparent and objective. Audit Committee will retain authority to
recommend to Council the budget of the Audit Office, as well as the
appointment or dismissal of the senior Audit Executive.

Administrative reporting of the Audit and Consulting Services Group
will be within the office of the City Manager to ensure the group's full
access to information and authority to find and implement improvements in
efficiency and effectiveness within the organization. Council expects the
Office will receive full cooperation of senior management and will in turn
strive to work with senior management in achieving its goals as approved
by Council.

City's Role in New Home Construction Process

With the construction boom locally, city inspectors are busy with the
requisite site visits, inspecting such things as excavations, foundations,
framing, insulation and vapour barriers, ductwork, piping, heating and
air-conditioning systems, plumbing fixtures, venting systems, and so on.
Each inspection ensures new homes are built to regulations stipulated in
the Ontario Building Code. Should a deficiency be found, the builder is
notified and requested to make corrections, which may necessitate
subsequent site inspections. Fire Code requirements are also addressed
during this process. Should new home purchasers have any outstanding
issues in terms of Building Code regulations, staff in the City's Building
Services Branch will be able to offer assistance and can be reached by
calling 244-5300.

Before the new homeowner can move in, the builder must secure an
Occupancy Permit from the city - which assures buyers that the premises
complies with requirements of the Ontario Building Code. Once the
Occupancy Permit has been issued the City's role comes to an end and the
Ontario New Home Warranty Program (ONHWP) comes into effect. This program
provides a safeguard for buyers against construction defects, among other
things. There is a limited time to have concerns addressed, and problems
should be provided in writing to the ONHWP office. Things like nail pops,
improperly finished mouldings could be the subject of claims. The Eastern
Ontario branch for the ONHWP is located at 1600 Scott St., Suite 400,
Ottawa ON. The phone # is 724-4882; FAX 724-3669.

Notice of Study Commencement - Walkley Ramp

In late February newspapers carried notice of the commencement of the
Class Environmental Assessment for the Airport Parkway/Walkley Road
interchange. This new intersection will provide a southbound Airport
Parkway off-ramp for vehicular access to Walkley Road in both directions.

Public comment is invited to assist City of Ottawa staff in the
development, planning and design of this project. The deadline to submit
comments is March 26th. Based on the review of these comments and the
necessary approval process, this project is scheduled to be completed by
the fall of 2001. For further information on this project, please contact
Neil Stout, Project Manager at 580-2424 ext 21289.

OC Transpo - January Ridership and Revenues

January 2001 ridership was 9.4% higher than January 2000. Pass
ridership was 11.6% higher while cash/ticket/daypass ridership increased
by 4.5%. It is encouraging to note that the majority of the increase has
emanated from committed riders instead of casual riders. These numbers
also account for a 17.1% increase in adult pass sales, reflecting the
significant increase in employment during the past year and sharp increase
in gas prices.

January 2001 revenues are 5% or $396,500 above budget (budget based on
the actual 2000 revenues and ridership).

There is more good news regarding Ecopass. The payroll deduction
passes that were introduced a year ago have brought in more than a million
dollars in revenue in the first year, with 20 companies participating by
the end of this month.

Para Transpo Service

Para Transpo is OC Transpo's door-to-door transportation service for
people whose physical disabilities prevent them from using regular transit
service. It has been running since 1974, under a private operator under
contract to the former Transit Commission. There are now 86 wheelchair
accessible vehicles and a fleet of 67 full-size four-door sedans. The
contractor is responsible for the acquisition of most vehicles, their
maintenance, the provision of drivers and their management. Passenger
eligibility, service reservations, trip assignments and the management of
the contract is the responsibility of OC Transpo's 30 Para Transpo staff.

The former Regional Council had directed that an in-depth analysis of
financial, physical and personnel resources be prepared in advance of the
expiry of the Para Transpo service contracts (June 2002) - which will be
available for review in May of this year. Also in May, a separate report
will be released that will include estimates of demand over the next 10
years for accessible transportation, an overview of existing community
resources used to provide transportation for persons with disabilities,
and recommended operational solutions within a demand management
framework. The report will also contain recommendations on eligibility
criteria, the registration process for Para Transpo and alternate service
delivery methods.

These two reports will provide a direction for Council as it considers
the future service delivery model for Para Transpo services. Please let
me know if you would like more information when these reports are
available.

New Responsibility in Ottawa Housing Corporation

As a result of new provincial legislation, administration of social
housing has been assumed by municipal governments in Ontario, as well as
its funding. The City is now sole owner and shareholder of the former
Ottawa-Carleton Housing Corporation, now known as Ottawa Housing
Corporation. Concurrently, the amalgamation of area municipalities has
led to the new city becoming sole owner and shareholder of City Living,
the former city's non-profit housing corporation. Together, these two
housing corporations account for approximately 60% (14,600 units) of all
social housing stock in the City.

One of my new responsibilities as Councillor is on the Board of the
Ottawa Housing Corporation. Within an annual budget of $35 million, the
Corporation is responsible for providing rent-geared-to-income shelter to
low-income families and individuals in Ottawa who live in 8,584 housing
units (mostly apartments and row houses). No new housing stock has been
built in over 20 years.

First Annual Run/Walk for Clean Air

The Sierra Club of Canada (Ottawa Group), along with the Greenspace
Alliance of Canada's Capital, Friends of The Farm and other local
environmental groups are organizing a special event to kick-off Canada's
Environment Week for 2001. These groups have already demonstrated a
strong commitment to protecting greenspace, parks, woodlands, wetlands and
to building sustainable communities.

The mission of the walk/run is to financially support environmental
initiatives of the groups involved and increase environmental awareness in
the community.

The event is on June 3rd, and will take place on the rolling hills of
the Central Experimental Farm's Arboretum. More information on how to
participate will be available through the media at a later date. To
become a sponsor, call George Wilson at 237-1320 ext 7551.

City of Ottawa Awarded for Decreasing Greenhouse Gases

Natural Resources Canada has given a leadership award to Ottawa for
displaying extraordinary commitment, action, best practices and leadership
toward the voluntary reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past
few years, the City has achieved a 19% reduction in CO2 equivalent
emissions and an 18% reduction in energy use in City facilities. One
example of estimated savings is seen in the use of energy efficient street
lighting systems - $268,000/year in maintenance costs and $360,000/year in
energy costs.

Greenhouse gases are widely believed to contribute to global warming
and climatic changes. Ottawa is one of only 6 municipal governments in
Canada that have developed and implemented a Community Climate Change
Action Plan.

Spring Cleaning in the Capital Campaign

In an effort to encourage and support volunteers who wish to help the
City with its spring cleaning efforts, Ottawa's 8th Annual “Spring
Cleaning the Capital Campaign” will be held from April 12 to May 13.

The City will provide clean-up supplies (while quantities last) such
as plastic bags, leaf and yard waste bags, vinyl gloves and helpful tips
to registered groups. If requested, we will also pick up collected litter
on city property resulting from a registered clean-up. As an incentive,
each registration form and clean-up report submitted is eligible to win
prizes donated by our sponsors. Awards will also be presented to groups,
individuals, and businesses for participation and leadership in
beautification projects.

Promotional material for the Spring Clean-up Campaign will be mailed
to groups, associations and all schools, and will also be available in
community centres. Please let me know if you would like more information
as it becomes available.

Drummond Pit Land Swap

The City-owned parcel of land located at the northwest corner of
Riverside Drive and Hunt Club Road is subject to a land exchange with the
abutting owner. This will allow a local park to be constructed next to
the Quinterra-Riverwood community, instead of having an office tower
between residences and their recreational parkland.

Adopt-a-Park Program

So far this year 15 parks have been adopted by groups who have chosen
to show their community pride by committing themselves to keeping their
park clean for a minimum of two years. In total, 40 parks are now under
local stewardship. For more information on this program, please visit the
City's web site at: http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca or call Paul
McCann, Community Pride Program at 244-5300 ext 1-3363.

Development and Proposals Underway in River Ward - March 2001

1. Central Park/Ashcroft/Clyde Avenue Holdings: 1241 Clyde Ave.
(former DOC lands); current status - The draft plan of subdivision was
appealed to the OMB. A dismissal hearing for the appeal is expected this
month. Council approved a zoning amendment application Feb. 28 that
suggested about 150 homes - ranging in density from singles to townhouses
- on this 3.8-hectare site.

2. 300 Central Park Dr. Ashcroft-Clyde Avenue Holdings has submitted a
Zoning Amendment Application and Site Plan Control Proposal to the City
for this site, which fronts Merivale Road. Comments on both applications
can be submitted to planner Patrick Legault by March 16 and March 23
respectively. The proposal is to rezone two high density residential zones
and a leisure linkage zone that surround an existing employment centre
zone, to a single new employment centre zoning. The site plan proposal
would encompass all of the new employment centre zone and would allow the
construction of a high-rise apartment tower, an office building and three
freestanding retail/restaurant uses. A three-storey parking structure
would link the apartment building and office building.

3. 1280 Merivale Rd. (Central Park near Caldwell): A Site Plan Control
Proposal has been submitted to the City suggesting 113 townhomes with
private roads for this 1.8-hectare site. A recent meeting was held between
representatives of the Central Park Citizens Group, planner Denis Charron
and myself to discuss concerns with density, on-street parking and snow
storage. Staff is not prepared to support this plan as it has been
submitted, so changes are likely. Comments can be submitted in writing to
Mr. Charron by March 16.

4. Moffatt Farm: As outlined earlier this year, NCC officials have
indicated an agreement was signed with DCR Phoenix for 50 acres of the
property in October, conditional on rezoning and an official plan
amendment. Once proposals have been filed, a full consultation process
will begin. More information when available.

Committee of Adjustment Hearings

1. The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority was
granted a long-term lease March 1 for property located at 366 Hunt Club
Road at the corner of Royal Route. The lease would be entered into with
“Siljub Investments Ltd.” for the purpose of constructing a hotel.